The effects of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the expression of nm-23 in human cancer cells.

This study examined the effect of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on the expression of nm-23, a metastasis-suppressor gene, in two highly invasive human cancer cell lines, HT115 and MDA MB 231. A range of n-6 and n-3 PUFAs were tested. We report that while linoleic acid and arachidonic acid reduced the expression of nm-23-H1, gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and its soluble lithium salt markedly increased the expression of the molecules. The stimulation of the expression of nm-23 by GLA was seen at both protein and mRNA levels. Up-regulation of nm-23 was also associated with a reduction of the in vitro invasiveness of these cells. It is concluded that gamma linolenic acid (GLA) enhances the expression of nm-23. This contributes to the inhibition of the in vitro invasion of tumour cells

Micro-rheological behaviour and nonlinear rheology of networks assembled from polysaccharides from the plant cell wall

The same fundamental questions that have driven enquiry into cytoskeletal mechanics can be asked of the considerably less-studied, yet arguably just as important, biopolymer matrix in the plant cell wall. In this case, it is well-known that polysaccharides, rather than filamentous and tubular protein assemblies, play a major role in satisfying the mechanical requirements of a successful cell wall, but developing a clear structure–function understanding has been exacerbated by the familiar issue of biological complexity. Herein, in the spirit of the mesoscopic approaches that have proved so illuminating in the study of cytoskeletal networks, the linear microrheological and strain-stiffening responses of biopolymeric networks reconstituted from pectin, a crucial cell wall polysaccharide, are examined. These are found to be well-captured by the glassy worm-like chain (GWLC) model of self-assembled semi-flexible filaments. Strikingly, the nonlinear mechanical response of these pectin networks is foun

Effects of 4-hydroxytamoxifen and a novel pure antioestrogen (ICI 182780) on the clonogenic growth of human breast cancer cells in vitro.

We have investigated the effects on breast cancer cell growth of 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4OHT), a conventional antioestrogen with agonist activity, and 7 alpha-[9-(4,4,5,5,5-pentafluoropentylsulphinyl)nonyl]oestra- 1,3,5,(10)- triene-3,17 beta-diol (ICI 182780), a novel, pure antioestrogen, using established human breast cancer cell lines and cancer cells obtained directly from breast cancer patients with malignant pleural effusions who had relapsed on tamoxifen. The effects of the two agents were assessed using the Courtenay-Mills clonogenic assay, which measures the growth of single cancer cells as colonies suspended in soft agar. The standard assay was modified by the use of defined serum- and phenol red-free growth medium. The growth of oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive MCF-7 cells in the assay was oestrogen responsive. Both antioestrogens inhibited the stimulatory effects of 1 nM oestradiol, but ICI 182780 caused significantly greater inhibition than 4OHT at 0.1-1.0 microM concentrations. In the absence of oestradiol, 4OHT but not ICI 182780 caused significant stimulation of colony formation at low (0.01-1.00 nM) concentrations. Neither antioestrogen had any effects on colony formation by the ER-negative Hs578T cell line. Successful colony formation was obtained in primary cultures from six out of eight malignant effusions. Colony formation was significantly stimulated by 0.1 nM oestradiol in four cases and by 10 nM 40HT in two cases. In contrast, ICI 182780 exhibited no intrinsic stimulatory activity and significantly inhibited both oestradiol- and 4OHT-stimulated cell growth. We conclude that the agonist activity of 4OHT and other conventional antioestrogens may cause treatment failure in some patients by stimulating breast cancer cell growth. The new, pure antioestrogen ICI 182780 is a more potent oestrogen antagonist than 4OHT and exhibits no growth-stimulatory activity. This agent may therefore offer therapeutic advantages over conventional antioestrogens in patients with advanced breast cancer and may be effective after conventional agents have failed

Tamoxifen for prevention of breast cancer: extended long-term follow-up of the IBIS-I breast cancer prevention trial

© Cuzick et al. Open Access article distributed under the terms of CC BY.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(14)71171-

Axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy after mastectomy: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sentinel lymph node biopsy has been established as the preferred method for staging early breast cancer. A prior history of mastectomy is felt to be a contraindication.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A patient with recurrent breast cancer in her skin flap was discovered to have positive axillary sentinel nodes by sentinel lymph node biopsy five years after mastectomy for ductal carcinoma in situ.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A prior history of mastectomy may not be an absolute contraindication to sentinel lymph node biopsy.</p

Post-operative exercises after breast cancer surgery: results of a RCT evaluating standard care versus standard care plus additional yoga exercise

Introduction: There is a lack of standardisation in the guidelines for post-operative exercises following breast cancer surgery. Adherence to exercise programmes is low, and complementary therapies such as yoga often appeal to patients and may encourage practise. A step-by-step guide to yoga DVD was evaluated in addition to the standard care exercises (SC) compared to SC alone. Methods: Women with early-stage breast cancer were randomised to SC plus or minus a yoga DVD for 10-weeks. Patient-reported outcomes were collected at baseline, 10 weeks and 6 months. The primary study-endpoint was the Trial Outcome Index (TOI) of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-Breast; a recognised quality of life (QoL) tool with an arm morbidity subscale (FACT-B+4). Results: 92/103 (89%) women were randomised to the study. The SC group reported practising post-operative exercises more often than the yoga DVD group. There was a 69% improvement from baseline in FACT-B+4 TOI, which included an arm subscale, at 10 weeks and 6 months in the SC group. This was 62% and 81% respectively for the yoga DVD group. Numbness in the affected arm was greater in the SC group (OR= 2.5, 95% CI: 1.1, 5.6) and in patients receiving chemotherapy (OR=2.17, 95% CI: 1, 4.6). Despite no group differences, 74% of women would definitely recommend following the yoga DVD after surgery. Conclusions: Practising post-operative exercises does improve arm and shoulder morbidity following breast cancer surgery. The addition of a self-practise general yoga programme was well received and appeared to improve QoL at 6 months

Clinical reports of pulmonary metastasectomy for colorectal cancer: a citation network analysis

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary metastasectomy for colorectal cancer is a commonly performed and well-established practice of similar to 50 years standing. However, there have been no controlled studies, randomised or otherwise. We sought to investigate the evidence base that has been used in establishing its status as a standard of care.METHODS: Among 51 papers used in a recent systematic review and quantitative synthesis, a citation network analysis was performed. A total of 344 publications (the 51 index papers and a further 293 cited in them) constitute the citation network.RESULTS: The pattern of citation is that of a citation cascade. Specific analyses show the frequent use of historical or landmark papers, which add authority. Papers expressing an opposing viewpoint are rarely cited.CONCLUSIONS: The citation network for this common and well-established practice provides an example of selective citation. This pattern of citation tends to escalate belief in a clinical practice even when it lacks a high-quality evidence base and may create an impression of more authority than is warranted.British Journal of Cancer (2011) 104, 1085-1097. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6606060 www.bjcancer.comPublished online 8 March 2011 (c) 2011 Cancer Research U

The Hybrid SPECT/CT as an Additional Lymphatic Mapping Tool in Patients with Breast Cancer

Background Conventional lymphoscintigraphy does not always define the exact anatomic location of a sentinel node. The lymphatic drainage pattern may be unusual or may not be shown at all. The recently introduced hybrid SPECT/CT imaging could help overcome these difficulties. SPECT is a tomographic version of conventional lymphoscintigraphy and the images have better contrast and resolution. When fused with the anatomical details provided by CT into one image, a meaningful surgical ‘‘roadmap’’ can be created. So far, there is little literature on the use of hybrid SPECT/CT in lymphatic mapping in patients with breast cancer. The purpose of this review was to report on these publications, including our own experience, focusing on patient selection, SPECT/CT settings, anatomic localization, and the detection of additional sentinel nodes. Methods The majority of investigators did not formulate indications for additional SPECT/CT after conventional imaging but scanned all patients eligible for sentinel node biopsy. The SPECT/CT settings used in the studies of this review were mostly similar, but the methods used for conventional imaging were more variable. Results All studies demonstrated an improved anatomical localization by performing additional SPECT/CT; sentinel nodes outside the axilla or nodes close to the injection sit

Meta-analysis of tumour burden in pre-operative axillary ultrasound positive and negative breast cancer patients

Management of the axilla in breast cancer is becoming increasingly conservative. Patients identified with a low axillary nodal burden (two or fewer involved nodes) at sentinel node biopsy (SNB) can avoid completion axillary node clearance (cANC). 'Fast track' to ANC in patients with involved nodes on pre-operative ultrasound may be over-treating a subgroup of these patients with low nodal burden, which would have precluded their need for ANC. This systematic review assesses the proportion of patients with involved nodes on pre-operative axillary ultrasound, which would fit low axillary burden criteria. Meta-analysis of studies comparing axillary burden of breast cancer patients identified as pre-operative ultrasound negative versus positive was performed. The primary outcome measure was the number of patients with two or fewer involved nodes (macrometastases only). Pooled odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), means and probabilities of identifying two or fewer involved nodes versus greater than two were calculated. Six studies reported the axillary burden in 4271 patients who were either directed straight to ANC or cANC after SNB. There was a significantly greater axillary burden in the ultrasound positive versus negative groups (OR 5.95, 95% CI 5.80-6.11) with mean nodal retrieval values of 2.9 [standard error (SE) 0.2] and 1.6 (SE 0.2) nodes, respectively. Cumulative probabilities identified 78.9% of ultrasound negative and 43.2% of ultrasound positive patients possessed low axillary burden. Pre-operative ultrasound positive patients have significantly higher axillary burden. However, nearly half do fit the criteria of low axillary burden and could be considered for omission of ANC